Department for Transport

Railways: Health and Safety

Lord Patten: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Vere of Norbiton on 27 June (HL8446),what plans they haveto discuss with South Western Railways that company's failure to provide water for passengers during hot weather, unlike the other operators cited.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Ensuring the welfare of passengers and rail staff is a top priority for train operating companies, including during particularly hot weather. The advice remains for passengers to carry a bottle of water on all train journeys in hot weather, so that they can keep hydrated. Most modern trains also have air conditioning installed to maintain cool temperatures, but, where air conditioning is not available, operators ventilate trains as best as they can by opening windows throughout journeys and train doors at stations, where possible. For hot weather, an ill passenger or an air conditioning failure, South Western Railways stocks water on most trains, and will provide to passengers in those circumstances. South Western Railway also maintains water supplies at key stations so that they can be added to trains during periods of extreme hot weather, particularly at key stations on their longer distance lines.

High Speed 2 Line: Construction

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the change to the overall cost of building the Birmingham to Crewe section of HS2 which will result from the proposed delay to building this section.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department is transparent on cost pressures and publishes six-monthly parliamentary reports on HS2, providing progress updates on the programme. It will take some time to fully understand the impact of the 9 March announcement on HS2 and we are using this time to invest in more mature designs and delivery approaches with a view to ensuring the programme is delivered in the most cost-effective way and protecting the Government’s commitment to delivering HS2 from Euston to Manchester.

Channel Tunnel: Freight

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase international rail freight journeys through the Channel Tunnel; and what assessment they have made of the benefits and value for money of rail gauge enhancement projects as a way to increase the number of rail freight journeys.

Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits and value for money of the Dollands Moor to Wembley W12 gauge enhancement project; what steps theyare taking to implement this project; and what discussions they have had with businesses to unlock private investment in this project.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government engages regularly with the international rail sector to discuss a range of issues, including freight traffic flows and proposals to operate additional rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel. It is ultimately a commercial decision for rail freight operators as to whether to facilitate new services, but the Government is open to engaging with industry-led proposals to support opportunities for rail freight and potential new operators where there is a commercial proposition.With respect to gauge enhancement, the Government is engaging with Network Rail on their developing proposals on Kent routes (including the Dollands Moor to Wembley route) to support Channel Tunnel traffic, and we await further details on this, including potential benefits and delivery mechanisms. Any investment decision will be subject to the usual business case process to ensure value for money.

Railways: East of England

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timetable for the Ely area capacity enhancement programme; and what assessment they have made of the impact of this programme on the freight corridor, from Felixstowe through Ely and to Selby in North Yorkshire, serving Yorkshire and the Humber region in terms of increasing rail freight capacity.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Business case analysis of the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme confirms it could unlock rail freight capacity across Britain, including in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Anti-social Behaviour and Sleeping Rough

Lord Patten: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scott of Bybrook on 9 June (HL8162), whether these figures for the incidence of rough sleeperscan bedivided into females and males.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: In the 2022 Rough Sleeping Snapshot, there were 2,539 men (83% of the total) and 464 women (15% of the total) sleeping rough on a single night in autumn. Gender was ‘not known’ for 66 people (2% of the total). The gender breakdown of people sleeping rough was similar across all regions in England and was similar to previous years.Women who sleep rough may make themselves less visible in order to stay safe, by moving at night or concealing themselves or their gender. They therefore may not be fully captured by the snapshot. This reinforces the need for tailored, specific interventions, for example in programmes like the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI). £6.5 million of the Rough Sleeping Initiative 2022-25 is going towards funding women-specific services across 22 local authorities in England.

Planning Permission: Fees and Charges

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to give planning authorities more flexibility to set fees for planning applications.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: We have announced our intention to increase planning fees by 35% for major applications and 25% for all other applications by the Summer 2023. Local authorities have the flexibility to set their own fees for discretionary planning services such as pre-application advice and Planning Performance Agreements.  Technical Consultation (pdf, 84.2KB)

Levelling Up Fund

Lord Wigley: To ask His Majesty's Government what sums have been allocated to projects in each nation of the UK respectively under the levelling-up strategy.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Levelling Up programme is an ambitious programme of reform with an agenda to transform the United Kingdom and address this country's regional inequalities. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities run some dedicated funding programmes that help us achieve the missions set out in the Levelling Up White Paper, but they are only one part of a broader set of measures.Our newer programmes are specifically UK-wide and as of July 2023 we allocated significant funding across the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Community Renewal Fund, Levelling Up Fund and Community Ownership Fund. This includes £4,720 million across England, £261 million across Northern Ireland, £612 million across Scotland and £963 million across Wales.We are committed to setting aside at least £800 million in Levelling Up Funding for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland until 2024/25 and for the Community Ownership Fund we are committed to targeting a minimum of £4.3 million for Northern Ireland, £12.3 million for Scotland and £7.1 million for Wales over the lifetime of the fund up to March 2025.

Walls and Fences

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 on adjoining owners, and its potential to cause them distress through (1) unwanted access to their land, (2) damage to their property, and (3) other inconvenience and disruption.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, in particular with regard to (1) the balance of rights between the building owner and adjoining owner, (2) the conflict resulting from the building owner's rights of access to the adjoining owner's property against their wishes, and (3) the impact on adjoining owners when underpinning is proposed, affecting only one wall of a terraced house.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for reforming the law on planning, in cases involving party walls, to require the consent of the adjoining landowners and prevent their house being interfered with against their wishes.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Government has no current plans to undertake a review of the Party Wall Act. The Department has not conducted post legislative review of the Party Wall Act 1996.The Party Wall Act provides statutory rights for the owner to carry out work to their home as well as providing a dispute resolution procedure for Party Wall disputes. A building owner proposing to start work covered by the Act may give adjoining owners notice of their intentions in the way set down in the Act. Adjoining owners can agree or disagree with what is proposed. Where they disagree, the Act provides a mechanism for resolving disputes.The Act establishes that a building owner must not cause unnecessary inconvenience to adjoining owners. This is taken to mean inconvenience over and above that which will inevitably occur when such works are properly undertaken. Under the Act, the building owner must provide temporary protection for adjacent buildings and property when necessary. The building owner is also responsible to making good any damage caused by the works or provide payment in lieu if requested by the adjoining owner.Local planning authorities are required to give notice of a planning application and can serve a notice on any adjoining owner or occupier to which an application relates. Neighbours can make their representations during the 21-day consultation period. The grant of planning permission does not grant the consent of the landowner or remove the need for applicants to also comply with other legal requirements such as building regulations approval and the Party Wall Act. An enforcement notice can be served by the local planning authority against any breach of planning control.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment: Older People

Lord Farmer: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support older workers who left the labour market during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now in financial hardship get back into work.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The latest study by The Office of National Statistics (Working and workless households in the UK: January to March 2023) shows a decrease of 23,000 in the number of people aged 50-64 in workless households against the same period in 2022. However, the Government recognises the challenges that older jobseekers face which is why we are delivering a comprehensive package of support to help them return to work. In addition to the help in place for all Universal Credit claimants, eligible older jobseekers can access additional intensive, tailored support in the first 9 months of their Universal Credit claim. A network of dedicated 50PLUS: Champions are in place in Jobcentre Plus districts across Great Britain, upskilling Work Coaches in supporting over 50s to return to work and engaging with employers to maximise opportunities for recruitment. The Midlife MOT is delivered in Jobcentres across Great Britain, to help older workers to take stock of their finances, skills and health and, on 5th July 2023, an enhanced digital Midlife MOT went live to provide access to financial, health and career guidance.

Cabinet Office

Treasury: Flags

Lord Blencathra: To ask His Majesty's Government whatis their reason for replacing the Union Jack flag flying above His Majesty's Treasury with a flag to celebrate Gay Pride.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Following instruction from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (the government department responsible for informing other departments regarding flag flying protocol), for the assigned period the flag in recognition of Pride month was flown over 100 Parliament Street. This is the official and principal address and entrance for the following Departments:HM Revenue and CustomsDepartment of Culture, Media and SportDepartment of Science, Innovation and Technology The Union Flag was flown during the same period at 1 Horse Guards Road, the official and principal address and entrance for the following Departments:HM TreasuryUK Export FinanceNorthern Ireland OfficeCabinet Office This has been confirmed with the operatives who manage the flags process for designated flying days.

Department for Education

Schools: Nurses

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government how many school nurses were employed in each local authority in England in each of the three most recent years for which figures are available.

Baroness Barran: In November 2022, the latest available information, 465 people were employed in state-funded schools in England with a role of ‘nurse’. This is similar to previous years, with 469 in 2021 and 445 in 2020. This information has been provided in Table 1 by local authority and year.The figures provided are based on staff roles as reported by the school. ‘Nurse’ may not necessarily indicate a qualified specialist community public health nurse. School nurses play a pivotal role in supporting schools to meet this duty, but they will not be the only healthcare professionals available to help schools in supporting their pupils.Information on the state funded school workforce in England, including the number of support staff employed by schools each November, is published in the annual ‘School Workforce in England’ national statistics release at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.School Nurses Table (xlsx, 27.8KB)

Teachers: Qualifications

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask His Majesty's Government how many teachers at state-funded schools in England do not have qualified teacher status.

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask His Majesty's Government how many teachers at state-funded schools in England do not have a teaching qualification.

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask His Majesty's Government how many teachers at state-funded secondary schools in England do not have a teaching qualification in the subject that they teach.

Baroness Barran: Information on the school workforce in England, including qualified teacher status (QTS), qualifications held and for state-funded secondary schools, the subjects taught, is published in the school workforce in England statistical publication. A link to this information can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.QTS is considered desirable for teachers in most schools in England. In some schools, including academies, free schools, and independent schools, QTS is not a legal requirement. Academies have a fundamental freedom to employ talented teachers who do not necessarily have QTS.Most teachers in all schools, including academies, have QTS and have undertaken Initial Teacher Training (ITT). The most recent data from November 2022 shows 12,739 full time equivalent teachers in state funded schools in England did not have QTS, which is equivalent to 2.7% of teachers. This information is in the attached table 1. Information on the qualifications held by teachers is collected in the annual census. However, the information collected does not identify teaching qualifications specifically. Information on the highest qualification of teachers is in the attached table 2. The percent of secondary school teachers with a relevant post A level qualification in the subject they are teaching is is in the attached table 3.Timetabled teaching is reported for a typical week in November, as determined by the school. It does not cover an entire year of teaching. If there are variations in timetabling across the year, this is not covered in the data available to the department.There are 27,000 more teachers now than there were in 2010. The quality of teaching is the most important in school factor in improving outcomes for children, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Evidence is clear that high quality professional development can lead to improved pupil attainment.The department has invested in transforming training for teachers and head teachers. Every teacher and head teacher now has access to high quality, evidence based training and professional development at every stage of their career, starting with ITT.By 2024, a reformed ITT provider market will be delivering quality assured training leading to QTS that places a greater emphasis than ever before on embedding structured practice into courses, ensuring trainees are ready to thrive in the classroom.A new system of higher quality training provider partnerships will be supported by £36 million to introduce new quality requirements, including better training for mentors and the delivery of new, cutting edge, intensive training, and practice activity. Every teaching school hub will be involved in ITT to ensure that training places are available across the country.The department wants to continue bringing great people into teaching and have introduced bursaries worth up to £27,000 tax free and scholarships worth up to £29,000 tax free, to attract talented trainees in subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.In addition to scholarships and bursaries, the department are offering a Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 tax free for mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools. This will support recruitment and retention of specialist teachers in these subjects and in the schools and areas that need them most.HL9046_table_1 (xlsx, 13.6KB)HL9046_table_2 (xlsx, 8.9KB)HL9046_table_3 (xlsx, 14.0KB)

Home Office

Cycling and Electric Vehicles: Pedestrian Areas

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask His Majesty's Government howmany penalties have been issued for (1) e-scooters, (2) e-bikes, and (3) bicycles, in each of the past three months for the road traffic offence of riding on a pavement.

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask His Majesty's Government how many privately owned e-scooters have been confiscated in each of the last three months for the offence of being drivenin a public area.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Home Office does not hold the information requested.The Home Office collects and publishes data on Fixed Penalty Notices and other outcomes for motoring offences as part of the “Police Powers and Procedures: Other PACE powers” statistical bulletin. The most recent data, for 2021, are available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1118166/fixed-penalty-notices-and-other-motoring-offences-statistics-police-powers-and-procedures-year-ending-31-december-2021.odsHowever, data are not collected on the type of vehicle involved in the offence. Additionally, the Home Office does not hold information on the number of e-scooters confiscated.

British Nationality: British Overseas Territories

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask His Majesty's Government why many applicants on the BIOT (Chagossian) citizenship registration route must wait longer than the six-month target to receive approval notifications, ceremonies and certificates at the High Commission in Port Louis;why the first people who have been approved under the Chagossian route since March 2023 are past the 12-week wait for an invitation to attend theirBritish Overseas Territory Citizenship and British Citizenship ceremony, including where their certificates have already been sent by post; and why it is not possible to track applications.

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answerof Lord Murray of Blidworth on 28 June(HL8499), why long delays are occurring for the delivery of BOTC (F) and BOTC (M) registration certificates to the British High Commissions located in the Caribbean region.

Lord Murray of Blidworth: We aim to decide all straight-forward applications within the six-month service standard. After a decision is made, the certificate is securely sent to the overseas post via the diplomatic bag through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Delivery times can vary depending on when the next bag is dispatched, which ranges from weekly to fortnightly depending on the destination. These bags can be tracked by the Home Office if details of dispatch date and destination are provided to FCDO.

British Nationality: British Overseas Territories

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Murray of Blidworth on 28 June (HL8499), whether the forthcoming amendment to the British Nationality (Overseas Territories) Regulations 2007 will delay active UK-based BIOT (Chagossian) approved applicants from proceeding with their ceremonies in the UK; and if so,whether the right to waive on a case-by-case basis will be extended to the local authority registrars administering that part of the oath.

Lord Murray of Blidworth: We do not anticipate that the forthcoming amendment to the British Nationality (Overseas Territories) Regulations 2007 will delay Chagossians in the UK from proceeding to attend their citizenship ceremony in the UK. The power to waive elements of a citizenship ceremony in the UK is exercised by the Home Office, on behalf of the Secretary of State, on a case by case basis. There are no plans to amend the British Nationality Act 1981 to allow local authority registrars to waive citizenship ceremony requirements.

Department for Business and Trade

Iron and Steel: Wales

Lord Wigley: To ask His Majesty's Government what sums they have spent on supporting the steel industry in Wales in each of the past five years.

The Earl of Minto: Industrial sectors, including the steel sector in Wales, have been able to bid into Government funds worth hundreds of millions of pounds to support energy efficiency and decarbonisation. In February, we announced the British Industry Supercharger – decisive measures to reduce energy costs for energy intensive industries, including steel, in line with those charged across the world’s major economies. We have provided extensive energy costs relief to the steel sector since 2013, including through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. Steel producers will continue to receive support until 31 March 2024 through the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS).

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Drax Power Station

Lord Birt: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Callanan on 3 July (HL Deb col 984) which stated that the BBC Panorama programme on Drax misrepresented the practices of the forestry and biomass sector, whether they will publish the assessment undertaken by officials of the programme.

Lord Callanan: The Government does not intend to publish the assessment which was conducted internally by the Department. Ofgem is investigating whether Drax Power Limited is in breach of annual profiling reporting requirements relating to the Renewables Obligation Scheme and other related matters. The opening of this investigation does not imply that Ofgem has made any findings about possible non-compliance by Drax Power Limited.

Energy Supply: Finance

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what stepsthey are taking to protect customers' interests by ensuring financial stability in the energy market.

Lord Callanan: Ofgem are acting to reduce the risk of energy suppliers failing, including quarterly stress testing to identify unsuitable business models and through new (proposed) capital adequacy requirements. These capital adequacy proposals would require domestic suppliers to hold a capital buffer to ensure that they are able to bear risks, improving the financial stability of the retail energy market. Ofgem are also acting to reduce the costs which are mutualised when suppliers do fail, for example, requiring domestic suppliers to ringfence an environmental levy called the Renewables Obligation.

Department of Health and Social Care

Gender Dysphoria: Children

Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government what action they will take if any new organisation prescribes puberty blockers to children, other than as part of a clinical trial in accordance with the policy of NHS England.

Lord Markham: All healthcare providers, whether they are providing an NHS funded or privately funded service, should follow clinical best practice and be registered with their professional body and any other regulators, as appropriate for that service. The Department will work with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that any organisation and people prescribing puberty blockers are doing so in line with the regulatory framework and appropriate professional standards which any health care provider must legally meet.

Osteoporosis

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government whatplans they have, if any, to appoint a National Clinical Director or National Specialty Adviser for fracture prevention.

Lord Markham: Andrew Bennett is NHS England’s national clinical director for musculoskeletal conditions. His portfolio includes osteoporosis and fracture prevention.

Social Services: Conditions of Employment

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the (1) pay, (2) conditions, and (3) recognition, for those working in the social care sector.

Lord Markham: Our workforce reforms, which will invest £250 million over the next two years, will provide the workforce with more support to develop within their careers.Most care workers are employed by private sector providers who set their pay and terms and conditions, independent of central Government. Local authorities work with care providers to determine fee rates, which should take account of wage costs, based on local market conditions.The Government has made available up to £7.5 billion in additional funding over two years to support adult social care and discharge. This historic funding boost will put the adult social care system on a stronger financial footing and help Local Authorities address waiting lists, low fee rates and workforce pressures in the sector.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Sportsgrounds: Health Hazards

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the European Commission proposal to ban the use of recycled rubber infill in artificial pitches, and in particular of its differential impact on (1) Great Britain, and (2) Northern Ireland.

Lord Benyon: Based on our commitment to having control of our own laws, the UK has now implemented its own regulatory framework. The EU proposal to ban the use of microplastics in sports pitches will not apply in Great Britain. EU REACH continues to apply in Northern Ireland, where the ban will apply following an 8-year transition period. The scientific and socio-economic evidence to support the EU proposal was considered as part of the EU REACH restriction process. We continue to monitor developments in EU REACH, and consider their impacts for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Treasury

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to support individuals and families facing difficulties in accessing affordable mortgages due to elevated interest rates.

Baroness Penn: The pricing and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, we recognise this will be a concerning time for all households with a mortgage. The Prime Minister has been clear, the best and most important way that we can keep costs and interest rates down for people is to halve inflation, and then return it to the 2% target. Following the commitments agreed to support borrowers in December, the Chancellor met with mortgage lenders, UK Finance and the Financial Conduct Authority on 23 June. At this meeting, lenders agreed to a new Mortgage Charter to support borrowers struggling with their mortgage payments, which was published on 26 June. This sets out the standards lenders will adopt when helping their customers, including new flexibilities to help customers manage their mortgage payments over a short period. This is in addition to the measures the Government has already taken aimed at helping people to avoid repossession, including Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans, and protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol. If mortgage holders are concerned about making their repayment, they must speak to their lender as soon as possible. Contacting them will not affect their credit score.

Bank Services: Defence

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to support military companies who have been refused banking services as a result of the nature of their work.

Baroness Penn: The provision of banking services is a commercial decision for firms based on a variety of factors, including the local law, regulation of individual countries, an assessment of profitability, or other commercial drivers. Therefore, while the Government recognises and values the important role of military companies, it would be inappropriate for the Government to intervene in these decisions. I would encourage businesses seeking a bank account to explore the Business Current Account (BCA) finder tool developed by UK Finance, designed to help businesses compare the full range of bank accounts available and find products that best suit their needs. My officials will continue to engage with industry to understand any emerging issues and assess any potential support for military companies.

First-time Buyers

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support first-time house buyers.

Baroness Penn: The Government remains committed to making the aspiration of homeownership a reality for as many households as possible. We operate a range of schemes that aim to increase the supply of low-deposit mortgages for credit-worthy households, including first-time buyers, increase the availability of new housing, and stimulate economic growth. These include the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, which is open until the end of 2023, as well as First Homes and Shared Ownership through the Affordable Homes Programme. The Government also helps first-time buyers to save for a deposit through the Lifetime ISA and Help to Buy: ISA. We are also investing £11.5 billion to build more of the affordable, quality homes this country needs. Over 837,000 households have been helped to purchase a home since Spring 2010 through Government-backed schemes. On 23 September 2022, the Government also cut Stamp Duty Land Tax, doubling the threshold at which SDLT becomes due from £125,000 to £250,000 and expanding First-Time Buyers Relief raising the threshold at which stamp duty becomes payable from £300,000 to £425,000. The maximum property value on which First Time Buyers Relief can be claimed has also been lifted from £500,000 to £625,000. These changes will remain in place until 31 March 2025 to support the property market.

Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask His Majesty's Government what plansthey have to review the law covering cooperatives and community benefit societies.

Baroness Penn: On 19 June, the Government informed Parliament[1] that it has invited the Law Commission to conduct reviews of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and the Friendly Societies Act 1992. The Treasury is now working with the Law Commission to formally agree a terms of reference and a timetable for each review once the projects are formally agreed. These reviews will aim to identify necessary updates to the legislation that will set co-operatives and friendly societies up for future growth and success. The Government expects that the reviews will start in the autumn. [1] https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-06-19/hlws847

Public Expenditure

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plansto undertake adetailed review of the effectiveness of the Barnett formula and its effect on allocations of finance to devolved governments within the UK.

Baroness Penn: Whilst the effective operation of the funding arrangements for the Devolved Administrations is monitored on an ongoing basis, the UK Government currently has no plans to undertake a formal review of the Barnett formula.   The Barnett formula is simple, efficient and provides a clear and certain outcome. For this reason, it has stood the test of time.   The Barnett formula ensures the same change in funding per person across the whole of the UK, while the underlying baseline funding reflects that needs are higher in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The devolved administrations are receiving over 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in other parts of the UK.

Bank Services

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whatsteps they aretaking to prevent banks from closing, or refusing to open, accounts for any reason other than unlawful activity.

Baroness Penn: The Government consulted specifically on the issue of contract termination and freedom of expression for payment service providers as part of its review of the relevant regulations – the Payment Services Regulations 2017 – and is currently reviewing responses to determine if legislative change is needed. The Government is committed to bringing a Written Ministerial Statement before the House to report on the Government’s findings on this matter, and to set out if any changes to regulation are necessary, ahead of its formal response to the Review. Concerning closures relating to Political Exposed Persons (PEPs) specifically, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 commits the FCA to carry out a review into financial institutions’ adherence to the FCA’s guidance on PEPs. This guidance is clear that financial institutions should not decline or close a business relationship with an individual solely on the basis that they are a PEP. I have written to the FCA to set out the Government’s expectations for this review and have made clear that the FCA must assess the extent to which firms are taking a blanket approach and refusing all PEP customers. I have also additionally written to underline the importance of the FCA’s review and set out the Government’s expectation that the FCA will prioritise this review over the coming months.

Pharmacy: VAT Exemptions

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask His Majesty's Government why VAT is applied if an NHS hospital pharmacy supplies out-patient medicine but if a private sector pharmacy supplies the same medicine it is zero-rated.

Baroness Penn: A prescription made by a medical practitioner for medicine dispensed from an NHS hospital pharmacy to an out-patient for self-administration off the hospital site is not subject to VAT. A supply by a private sector pharmacy can be zero-rated in similar circumstances. If medicine forms part of the hospital supply of medical care to a patient, the medicine will be exempt from VAT.

UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the publication of the document ‘The Windsor Framework: The Green Lane’ on 9 June,what will be the benefits of being part of the UK Internal Market Schemefor someone moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland between 1 October and 30 September 2024.

Baroness Penn: Significantly more businesses will be able to be authorised under the UK Internal Market Scheme and companies will be able to move a much broader range of goods into Northern Ireland for manufacturing or other processing purposes, compared to arrangements under the legacy UK Trader Scheme. From 30 September 2023, these newly eligible traders that are authorised under the scheme will be able to move goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland tariff free, where those goods are not classed as being “at risk” of onward movement to the EU. Newly eligible traders include more companies involved in manufacturing and processing, and businesses in Great Britain who do not themselves have premises in NI.From the end of September 2024, authorised businesses moving eligible goods will be able to access all of the benefits of the new green lane. As well as the tariff benefits, the green lane will remove unnecessary costs, paperwork and checks.More information about the scheme can be found on GOV.UK.[1] [1] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland

Northern Ireland Office

Parades: Northern Ireland

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken topromote the Twelfth of July celebrations in Northern Ireland as a tourist attraction.

Lord Caine: Northern Ireland is a fantastic place to visit throughout the year, with a wealth of activities, culture, and beautiful scenery. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland himself spoke of the rich cultural tapestry of Northern Ireland as he enjoyed this year’s Twelfth festivities in Lurgan, Co. Armagh. The people of Northern Ireland, as well as the hospitality industry, ensure the warmest of welcomes to visitors from all over the world. Tourism Northern Ireland, alongside Tourism Ireland, work to promote Northern Ireland to a domestic and international audience.